Great coastal town getaways

May 10, 2013 4:00 AM

Photo:

Image 1of/13

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 13

Pescadero: The Pigeon Point Lighthouse, which includes a hostel in the former keepers' houses, is one attraction of nearby Pescadero. Due to its location two miles inland from Highway 1, the quaint town founded by Portuguese fishermen often has warmer weather than at the shore. Additional draws include fresh seafood and artichoke soup at Duarte's Tavern, hot artichoke sourdough bread and olallieberry jam at Arcangeli's Grocery and the handsome furnishings at Made in Pescadero, along with other quaint shops and historic buildings on Stage Road. less

Pescadero: The Pigeon Point Lighthouse, which includes a hostel in the former keepers' houses, is one attraction of nearby Pescadero. Due to its location two miles inland from Highway 1, the quaint town ... more

Pescadero: The Pigeon Point Lighthouse, which includes a hostel... Photo-4606205.62091 - SFGate

Image 2 of 13

Arcata: Rain and fog are often in the forecast, but this bayside college town -- home to Humboldt State University -- is highly walkable, with charming vintage architecture and breathtaking redwood forests and empty beaches nearby. less

Arcata: Rain and fog are often in the forecast, but this bayside college town -- home to Humboldt State University -- is highly walkable, with charming vintage architecture and breathtaking redwood forests ... more

Arcata: Rain and fog are often in the forecast, but this... Photo-4606209.62091 - SFGate

Image 3 of 13

Avalon, Catalina Island: An hour-long ferry ride from Long Beach (or a 15-minute helicopter trip - if that's how you roll) brings you to this Mediterranean-style village, which hugs Avalon Bay. While there is plenty of shopping and dining to be had on the main promenade, Crescent Avenue, the activities taking place in the clear waters just offshore — snorkeling, kayaking, parasailing, scuba diving — are the real draw. If all that ocean frolicking tuckers you out, take a spin around town in one of the many golf carts for rent (full-size vehicles are restricted on the island, so golf carts are the local go-to for transportation). less

Avalon, Catalina Island: An hour-long ferry ride from Long Beach (or a 15-minute helicopter trip - if that's how you roll) brings you to this Mediterranean-style village, which hugs Avalon Bay. While there is ... more

Avila Beach: After the waterfront was bulldozed to scour decades of gas and oil leakage from Union Oil’s dilapidated underground pipes, what emerged in 2000 was nothing like the funky little beach town Avila Beach once was. But the new hotels and tidy shops and restaurants still play second fiddle to the beach, cradled by rolling hills and curving around a protected bay where dolphins bound through the waves and impossibly cute sea otters float on their backs, entertaining visitors strolling the pier. Bonus: Facing south rather than west, this is one of California’s sunniest, warmest beaches. less

Avila Beach: After the waterfront was bulldozed to scour decades of gas and oil leakage from Union Oil’s dilapidated underground pipes, what emerged in 2000 was nothing like the funky little beach town Avila ... more

Avila Beach: After the waterfront was bulldozed to scour decades... Photo-4606211.62091 - SFGate

Image 5 of 13

Bodega Bay: If it weren’t for Hitchcock’s “The Birds,” Bodega Bay would be just a string of shops, hotels, wharfside restaurants and houses along Highway 1. It still is, really, but the fleet that hauls Dungeness crab and salmon out of the large natural harbor makes it a prime seafood destination, and Bodega Head hosts the biggest convocation of migrating and resident shorebirds and waterfowl in Sonoma County. Add U.C. Davis’ Bodega Marine Lab, which offers drop-in tours every Friday, and you have a sea-lover’s paradise, rarely overrun by tourists. less

Bodega Bay: If it weren’t for Hitchcock’s “The Birds,” Bodega Bay would be just a string of shops, hotels, wharfside restaurants and houses along Highway 1. It still is, really, but the fleet that ... more

Cambria: Located midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Cambria is a Central Coast gem known in part for its proximity to Hearst Castle as well as its stunning shoreline, Moonstone Beach. Numerous inns along the beach offer quaint stays for tourists longing to stroll the coastline, but a walk down Main Street is also a must. less

Cambria: Located midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Cambria is a Central Coast gem known in part for its proximity to Hearst Castle as well as its stunning shoreline, Moonstone Beach. Numerous inns ... more

Photo: John Elk, Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

Cambria: Located midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles,... Photo-4606213.62091 - SFGate

Image 7 of 13

Cayucos: It might not literally be the “Last of the California beach towns,” as its slogan proclaims, but Cayucos can justifiably claim to be the quintessential California beach town, with a remarkable number of surviving 19th century buildings recalling the days of schooners, steamers and rum runners. The main claim to fame for this often-overlooked enclave overlooking Estero Bay is the long public fishing pier and miles of spotless white beach. A plentiful supply of lodging, from humble motor courts to sumptuous B&Bs, will serve for any kind of vacation you want, except a stressful one. less

Cayucos: It might not literally be the “Last of the California beach towns,” as its slogan proclaims, but Cayucos can justifiably claim to be the quintessential California beach town, with a remarkable ... more

Cayucos: It might not literally be the “Last of the California... Photo-4606214.62091 - SFGate

Image 8 of 13

Encinitas: This vestige of classic Southern California beach culture—its Swami’s Beach surf break was immortalized in the Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ USA”—remains an affordable, good-vibrations beach town bucking the trend toward pricey gated enclaves. Its 100-year-old downtown is full of retro gems such as the La Paloma Theatre, built in the 1920s, and a row of boat houses flying pirate flags, built of lumber recycled from a dance hall demolished in 1925. Watch the action at Swami’s, a holy grail to hard-core surfers, from the Self Realization Fellowship’s lush meditation garden on the bluff high above. less

Morro Bay: Best known for its namesake Morro Rock, a 578-foot volcanic peak rising dramatically from the ocean floor just offshore, Morro Bay’s main order of business is its large commercial fishing fleet. Though its waterfront embarcadero is somewhat tattered and touristy, its pleasant Main Street offers some interesting shopping, and its state park offers a marina, a natural history museum and one of California’s last remaining great blue heron rookeries. More interesting still are adventure pursuits from kayaking to hiking to fishing to wildlife-spotting. less

Morro Bay: Best known for its namesake Morro Rock, a 578-foot volcanic peak rising dramatically from the ocean floor just offshore, Morro Bay’s main order of business is its large commercial fishing fleet. ... more

Morro Bay: Best known for its namesake Morro Rock, a 578-foot... Photo-4606216.62091 - SFGate

Image 10 of 13

Pismo Beach: Located just south of Avila Beach, Pismo is a classic beach town and particularly good for families looking to spend plenty of time outside. Miles of shoreline, divided by wooden pier, entice surfers and sun-worshippers, but there are other opportunities for outdoor activities nearby, like kayaking tours or hiking trails at Montana de Oro State Park. less

Pismo Beach: Located just south of Avila Beach, Pismo is a classic beach town and particularly good for families looking to spend plenty of time outside. Miles of shoreline, divided by wooden pier, entice ... more

Pismo Beach: Located just south of Avila Beach, Pismo is a... Photo-4606217.62091 - SFGate

Image 11 of 13

Point Arena: Without the funky colors coating some of the buildings, this hippie town would just be another blink-and-miss-it flash along Highway 1. But once visitors venture off the main drag, they'll enjoy the beautiful scenery, which includes the Point Arena Lighthouse — one of the tallest lighthouses on the West Coast — and even a wildlife preserve. less

Point Arena: Without the funky colors coating some of the buildings, this hippie town would just be another blink-and-miss-it flash along Highway 1. But once visitors venture off the main drag, they'll enjoy ... more

Photo: Douglas Steakley, Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

Point Arena: Without the funky colors coating some of the... Photo-4606218.62091 - SFGate

Image 12 of 13

Ventura: Having doubled its population since the 1970s, these days Ventura is a major destination for surfers from all over, lured especially by Surfer's Point next to the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Situated just north of LA, Ventura provides a respite from big city life while still offering plenty to do, including boat tours to visit Channel Islands National Park. Unfortunately, a roaring wildfire put this destination on the map earlier this month as strong Santa Ana winds fueled the blaze, which was eventually subdued by much-needed rainfall. less

Ventura: Having doubled its population since the 1970s, these days Ventura is a major destination for surfers from all over, lured especially by Surfer's Point next to the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Situated ... more

Photo: Albert Valles, Getty Images/Flickr Open

Ventura: Having doubled its population since the 1970s, these... Photo-4606219.62091 - SFGate